"Having a few FBS-caliber prospects on a school as small as Newton is not unprecedented, but it is indeed uncommon," said Gabe Brooks, who covers recruiting in Texas, Louisiana and Arkansas for 247 Sports.

Brooks pointed to Amite High School in Louisiana, which like Newton has fewer than 300 students, as an example of a small school rich with football talent.

Amite has two of 247 Sports' top 50 players in the 2019 recruiting class.

In 2014, Newton had two players sign with high-level colleges - Roney Elam Jr. at Texas A&M and Kevin Shorter at Texas - but Brooks believes the players on this team have a higher ceiling.

Brown, a cornerback and wide receiver, led Southeast Texas with 10 interceptions in nine regular-season games.

Barlow rushed for 1,246 yards and an area-best 25 touchdowns in the regular season.

Johnston said when a Baylor recruiter came by earlier in the week, he told him that Sylvester, a defensive end, would eventually become "a player (Alabama head coach) Nick Saban would fly his helicopter into town for."

"We started to realize over the summer this was a special group of players," Brown said. "Now, we've just got to make it all count for something and win state."

Johnston has taken a loose approach with the team because it is winning and getting along.

He lets the team play music before games for the first time since he became head coach in 2011 and isn't afraid to let his players be vocal about their personal and team successes.

Johnston did give the Eagles a gentle reminder that despite their talent and success, the season could end with one bad performance. That's what happened last season when Newton fell, 13-6, to Arp in the regional final round.

"Our guys aren't used to all the attention they've been receiving," Johnston said. "It's our job as a coaching staff to keep them grounded while still allowing them to go out and play their best game."